Due to racism’s damaging effects, speakers at the conference gave multiple perspectives for how a church can begin breaking down barriers within congregations.

Walter Strickland, associate vice president for diversity and instructor of theology at SEBTS, began the conference by speaking about the layers of racism and why it presents a challenge for church leaders to overcome. He acknowledged the many layers of racism that exist that cause difficulty for leaders in creating multicultural environments within the church.

“What we’re trying to do today is have this moment as being a catalyst toward change,” said Strickland.

Strickland noted that it is significant for churches to have structures that support a diverse community, allowing for a multiplicity of perspectives to establish and examine new and existing programs and procedures.

The last two sessions of the day included panel discussions moderated by Strickland.

The first panel featured a conversation about how church leaders can strive toward organizational structures that support diversity. Panelists were Danny Akin, president of SEBTS; Andy Davis, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Durham, N.C.; and Jerome Gay, lead pastor of preaching and vision at Vision Church in Raleigh, N.C. When panelists were asked how their church or organization has supported minorities while pursuing diversity, Davis noted his conviction over Strickland’s opening session and how he recognized his church’s great need to make changes toward diversity.

“My passion and my desire for that has been necessary, but insufficient,” said Davis.

Gay discussed the importance of pursuing diversity and supporting minority leaders by creating a culture of “eclecticity” at Vision Church, noting cultural differences within racial groups and commenting that no race is “monolithic.”

Gay also emphasized that feedback from other minorities is key.

“That feedback is sometimes painful, but it’s necessary,” said Gay.

Akin said that at SEBTS, intentionality has been essential as he has built trust with a variety of people who can speak honestly to blind spots he may not see in the institution.

“It’s one thing to say we want to be an ethnically diverse community; it’s another thing to actively work to make it happen,” said Akin, who has seen SEBTS grow significantly in its diversity in his 14 years as president.

The second panel focused on the relational outworking of unifying churches in the midst of cultural differences.

The panelists were Matthew Hodges, lay leader at Christ Our King Community Church in Raleigh; Jesse Parker, elder at Vision Church; and Aaron Anderson, pastor of Vintage Church in Durham.

As a white elder at a predominantly black church, Parker addressed how he navigates conversations with others when it comes to racial and cultural differences. He acknowledged that he wrestles with what he perceives as a “normative experience” based on his context as a white male.

“I have to have the awareness of how I’ve been shaped by my own experience to actually engage and interact with that,” said Parker. “Otherwise, I’m just going to retreat or I’m just going to attack instead of actually engaging.”

Anderson emphasized the importance of humility in relationships and not allowing a spirit of entitlement, even when the lack of understanding from brothers and sisters in Christ is painful.

“If your identity is tied to some type of entitlement you’ll always be shaky. There will always be some type of discontentment,” said Anderson.

Ultimately, said Anderson, God brings reconciliation and healing. “I can still love you and walk with you through this and trust God to do the healing that only he can do through his Spirit,” he said.

Overcoming multicultural barriers and leading people to think this way is non-negotiable for Hodges.

“If you’re in leadership, this has to be a gospel conviction, “ said Hodges. “This cannot be a gospel elective.”

The KDI, launched in 2013, promotes diversity by hosting campus events and discussions centered on topics regarding underrepresented populations and how the gospel intersects with these issues in culture. For more information, visit kingdomdiversity.sebts.edu.

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Since 1833 the Biblical Recorder has served North Carolina Baptists as the Baptist State Convention's official news journal - with the emphasis on news. The paper was founded by Thomas Meredith, an early pastor, writer and denominational statesman in North Carolina.